Following the First World War, the German defeat left the public disillusioned, having been led to believe by an unreliable narrative that victory was close at hand as the conflict neared its end. As the prospect of a German victory withered away, it left in its wake an enraged population with memories and speculated realities seared into their minds. This German collective memory in the Weimar Republic cast shadows of instability in social, cultural, and political spheres, creating lasting conditions for instability and radicalization. Specifically, by analyzing the evolution of the German national identity, key policies of the Weimar government, and political maneuverings of radical groups, this paper argues that the memory of the war influenced individual decisions based on national identity, recontextualizing the values of the German state. This paper reveals that the German national identity after World War I was entirely fragmented and this was represented in cultural expressions, including art. Historical evidence also seems to suggest that this fragmentation was reflected in the policies enacted by the German governing body and the political maneuverings of radical groups after the war. Through an exploration of prewar and postwar German society, this paper explores the shifts in national identity, the impact of collective memory on policy decisions, and the ultimate rise of radical political movements. As illustrated in this essay, the interplay among history, memory, and identity offers profound historical insights rooted in individual psychology, while also outlining the role of memory in forming national paths.